4.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,188 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments

problem #11

Apr 032005

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 59,727 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 60 mph in fifth gear, the contact heard a popping sound and the vehicle began to coast. The contact had to downshift into fourth gear. The vehicle had to be driven for approximately 200 miles in fourth gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they discovered that the fifth gear nut detached and needed to be replaced. This is the second time the nut has backed off and needed replacing. The current mileage was 74,000 and failure mileage was 59,727.

- Minelo, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 182005

Ram 2500 4WD 5-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The contact stated the transmission slipped out of gear while in fifth gear. He had to put the vehicle in fourth gear and take it to the dealership. The dealership stated there was a nut in the transmission that failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time due to the expense.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #9

Jan 202004

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 119,000 miles
It apparently a known fact that the tension bolt in my 1999 Dodge 2500 standard transmission has a habit of backing out and damaging the entire transmission. This has occurred in my vehicle and I understand that there is a technical bulletin out on this due to its a common problem. This is clearly identified by Dodge customer complaints and also by the dealership doing the repairs. Why is this not a recall issue. My truck has been used 95% on freeway. It has 119,000 miles on it. Being a diesel with what was considered the toughest transmission built, it should be good for at least twice this mileage if serviced properly which I have done. The oils were all changed less than 30,000 miles back and there was no indication of anything going wrong. This repair will cost me approximately $3,300 and fortunately did not damage too much or it could easily exceed this amount. I paid $37,000 for this truck and it should perform better than this or be backed by Dodge within reason.

- Wilton, CA, USA

problem #8

May 152000

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 25,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transfer fuel pump was twice replaced under 100,000 mile warranty. Currently, vehicle needed a third replacement after 140,000 miles. Also, fifth gear was completely gone. This occurred at 140,000 mi.

- Wewahitchka, FL, USA

problem #7

Nov 022003

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 62,342 miles
While driving my Dodge Ram 2500 pickup towing my horse trailer at highway speed, the overdrive 5th gear on the manual transmission disengaged and would not re-engage. I was lucky that this incident occurred when I was not in heavy traffic and could maneuver safely out of traffic to assess the situation. All other gears would engage and I had to complete my trip is 4th gear. After an inspection of transmission was completed, it was determined that the nut that holds the 5th gear in place on the transmission out-put shaft had backed off, causing 5th gear to slide rearward and disengage. Dodge has circulated a service bulletin concerning this problem (21-10-98A) and has developed a repair kit to fix the problem. Dodge failed to notify me of this potential problem. After reseaching complaints filed with NHTSA on this situation, I quickly found 10 complaints that relate to this problem. Also after talking with local transmission mechanics, I found that several similar repairs have been done locally on Dodge pickup 5-speed transmissions. This is a major safety issue and all owners of Dodge with this transmission should be made aware of the problem.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 182003

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
While traveling vehicle would not shift out of first gear to second gear until vehicle reached 25 mph - 30 mph intermittently. Dealer has been contacted.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 282002

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer states returned van to dealership 5 times for the transmission. Dealership replaced with a rebuilt transmission but is still experiencing dragging when at a stop with cooling fan engaged.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #4

Jun 262001

(reported on)

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
6 speed standard transmission seized up while driving at 10-15 mph, causing vehicle to skid to a stop and completely die without warning.vehicle was towed to dealer, who will replace transmission with same design. An insurance adjuster stated to consumer that transmission was not strong enough for a 24 valve diesel engine.

- Oregon City, OR, USA

problem #3

Nov 202000

Ram 2500

  • miles
While driving consumer feels like vehicle shifts from first gear to second gear, and sometimes transmission will go into neutral without application of power. Transmission was replaced, there was a tsb regarding the direct clutch inner seal, mechanic told consumer this was what the problem was.

- Hauttauge, NY, USA

problem #2

Aug 162000

Ram 2500

  • miles
Transmission continuously "slips" out of first gear, when attempting to launch after a stop light, or shifting from reverse to first. Following each and every start, the transmission will "slip" out of first gear.

- Navasota, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 021999

Ram 2500 Diesel

  • miles
I have owned this truck for less than 1 year and fifth gear has gone out 5 times. I previously had a 1998 Dodge Ram pickup and after fifth gear going out four times I had to replace the whole transmission. My son owns a 1998 Dodge Ram pick up and has had to replace the transmission and fifth gear twice. What is wrong? please help us.

- Shawnee, OK, USA

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